Missouri Code of State Regulations
Title 3 - DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
Division 10 - Conservation Commission
Chapter 8 - Wildlife Code: Trapping: Seasons, Methods
Section 3 CSR 10-8.510 - Use of Traps

Universal Citation: 3 MO Code of State Regs 10-8.510

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 18, September 16, 2024

PURPOSE: This amendment modifies the dates for which specific traps may be used to trap coyote, opossum, raccoon, and striped skunk.

(1) Traps shall have smooth or rubber jaws only, and may include foot-hold traps, Conibear® or other killing-type traps, foot-enclosing traps, cage-type traps, colony traps with openings no greater than six inches (6") in height and six inches (6") wide, snares (as defined in 3 CSR 10-20.805) set in water only, and cable restraint devices (as defined in 3 CSR 10-20.805) . From March 1 through April 14 only foot-hold traps, foot-enclosing traps, and cage-type traps may be used to trap coyote, opossum, raccoon, and striped skunk. From August 1 through October 15 only foot-enclosing traps and cage-type traps may be used to trap opossum, raccoon, and striped skunk. Use of pitfalls, deadfalls, snares set in a dry land set, and nets are prohibited.

(2) Traps, snares, and cable restraint devices shall be plainly labeled, on durable material, with the user's full name and address or Conservation Number. Wildlife held in traps, snares, or cable restraint devices may be killed or removed only by the user. Conibear® or other killing-type traps set under water, colony traps set under water, and drowning sets shall be attended and wildlife removed at least once every forty-eight (48) hours. All other traps, snares, and cable restraint devices must be attended daily and wildlife removed or released. Traps may not be set in paths made or used by persons or domestic animals, and Conibear® or other killing-type traps may not be set along public roadways, except under water in permanent waters. Except as provided in 3 CSR 10-4.130, only cage-type traps or foot-enclosing-type traps may be set within one hundred fifty feet (150') of any residence or occupied building located within the established boundaries of cities or towns containing ten thousand (10,000) or more inhabitants. Homes, dens, or nests of furbearers shall not be molested or destroyed. Traps may be used in conjunction with electronic calls.

(3) Use of Conibear[R] or Other Killing-Type Traps.

(A) No Conibear[R] or other killing-type traps with a jaw spread greater than five inches (5") shall be used in any dry land set.

(B) Conibear[R] or other killing-type traps with a jaw spread not greater than eight inches (8") may be set six feet (6') or more above ground level in buildings.

(C) Conibear® or other killing-type traps of any size may be set under water. Conibear® or other killing-type traps having no food, scent, or visual lure placed within one foot (1') of the trap may be partially exposed above water provided the hinges are fully submerged.

(4) Use of Snares and Cable Restraint Devices.

(A) Snares (except as provided in subsection (4)(B)) must be set in water and must have the loop at least half (1/2) submerged. Snares (as defined in 3 CSR 10-20.805) must have a loop fifteen inches (15") or less in diameter when set and must have a stop device that prevents the snare from closing to less than two and one-half inches (2 1/2") in diameter.

(B) Furbearers may be taken by trapping through the use of cable restraint devices during specified seasons (3 CSR 10-8.515) . Cable restraint devices (as defined in 3 CSR 10-20.805) must have a loop size of twelve inches (12") in diameter or smaller when set, and the bottom of set restraint cable loop must be at least six inches (6") or greater above the ground. Cable restraint devices must be anchored solid or staked in a location not allowing entanglement (such as rooted, woody vegetation greater than one-half inch (1/2") in diameter), and shall not be capable of extending to within twelve inches (12") of a fence, nor shall be set using a drag, or used with a kill-pole. Cable restraint devices may not be used within one hundred fifty feet (150') of any residence, occupied building, or a driveway leading to a residence.

*Original authority: 252.240, RSMo 1972, amended 1984.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Missouri may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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